The show highlighted centuries of Filipino culture and history as performers entertained and educated a crowded theater of 816 friends and family members.
"I loved it. It taught me something and I can walk away inspired," junior communications major Stephanie Cruz said. "It taught me a lot of [Filipino] stereotypes and how to get over them. [PCN] taught me about my past, my present, what we're living in today and how we can make it better."
The production starred freshman Selyna Arciaga as a 27-year-old Filipina-American woman named Kristina Reyes, who is given the opportunity to learn about her past. In "Pieces," five hooded visitors helped Reyes uncover truths about her Filipina culture.
Throughout the play, PASA members performed adapted versions of dances from the Philippines' long and storied history. The Reyes character experienced flashbacks that allowed her to experience Filipino culture. The dances had various influences from her history. Some dances expressed the culture of tribes and provinces while others had Spanish or Muslim influence.
Perhaps the most popular performance was the Philippine national dance, known as the Tinilking. Long bamboo branches were rhythmically snapped together, as the dancers jumped in and out of the colliding branches. The "Sayaw Sa Bangko" prompted the audience's ovation as couples demonstrated balance while dancing across narrow benches. As the dance ensued, the benches were stacked progressively higher until they reached four tiers high.
Junior engineering major Kirby Gonzales gave a lively performance as a Filipino American homosexual named Jon Bautista. Gonzales' character showed Reyes how Filipino American gay men are much different than those found in the Philippines. Gonzales' character showed that in the Philippines, gay men wear makeup and dress like women. In America however, they can look like everyone else.
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